Answering a Citation

Initial Appearance Date

  • You must appear at The Colony Municipal Court or otherwise resolve your citation within 21 days from the date of the offense.  If you did not sign and receive a citation at the time of the offense you will be contacted by the court. You must appear as ordered. 
  • If you were arrested and released on bond, you must appear as ordered by the paperwork you received from the jail.  

How to Resolve Your Citation

Option 1: Enter a Plea of Guilty or No Contest and Pay the Fine.  This option waives your right to a jury trial and the Driving Safety Course option or Deferred Disposition.  Choosing this option may result in a conviction being reported to the Department of Public Safety.  You may be able to request a payment plan or extension to pay the fine. 

Option 2: Request Dismissal.  Some citations can be dismissed after evidence of compliance is provided to the court.  An administrative fee of up to $20 may be required.  Some citations (Expired Registration, Fail to Maintain Financial Responsibility, Expired Driver's License, etc.) can be dismissed without appearing in court if proof of compliance is submitted timely.  However, many requests for dismissal will require a court appearance.   

Option 3: Driving Safety Course.   If eligible, you may be able to have the citation dismissed by successfully completing the requirements of the Driving Safety Course option.  You MUST request this option on or before your initial appearance date.  Please see the Driving Safety Course/Defensive Driving tab for more information.  

Option 4: Deferred Disposition.  If eligible, you may be able to have the citation dismissed by successfully completing the requirements of Deferred Disposition. Please see the Deferred Disposition tab for more information.  

Option 5: Enter a Plea of Not Guilty/Request a Trial.  If you choose to enter a plea of Not Guilty, your case will be scheduled for a Pre-Trial hearing.  You and/or your attorney must appear in person.  At the Pre-Trial hearing you can discuss your case with the prosecutor and file any necessary motions.  After this hearing you can choose to proceed with either a trial by judge or trial by jury.

PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS NOT A COMPLETE LIST OF ALL OPTIONS AVAILABLE.  THESE ARE SIMPLY THE MOST COMMON WAYS TO RESOLVE YOUR CITATION. PLEASE CONTACT THE COURT OFFICE AT (972) 624-2200 IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS

Appearance Requirements

  • You must provide a state-issued photo ID.  
  • You may hire an attorney to represent you, but you are not required to. Attorneys must submit a letter of representation and may be required to present their Bar Card and a photo ID.  A court appointed attorney is not provided for a Class C misdemeanor.  
  • Failure to appear as ordered may result in an additional charge of Failure to Appear or Violate Promise to Appear and a warrant issued for your arrest.  
  • A motion for continuance must be in writing and must be submitted at least 24 hours prior to the scheduled court date.  

Dress Code and Decorum

Appropriate attire must be worn in court.  Any court participants who are not dressed appropriately may be asked to leave.  The following will not be allowed in the courtroom: 

  • hats of any kind
  • shorts
  • flip flops
  • tank tops
  • clothing with tears or holes
  • clothing with obscene, vulgar, or derogatory language or images

Electronic Devices

Cell phones and other electronic devices, including cameras or recording devices, may not be used in the courtroom.